Curtis Brown completes Conville & Walsh buy

The two literary agencies joined forces in 2013, with Curtis Brown then acquiring a ...

Curtis Brown has acquired 100% of Conville and Walsh.

The two literary agencies joined forces in 2013, with Curtis Brown then acquiring a 50% stake.

The deal to acquire Conville and Walsh fully has now been completed, a year ahead of deadline, said Curtis Brown. Some back office functions will be integrated, with areas like accounts and contracts moving to the same systems, but there will be no job losses, Curtis Brown joint c.e.o. Jonny Geller told The Bookseller.

Conville and Walsh will retain its name and identity and continue to act as before.

Geller said: “From the first day of working with Clare [Conville] and Patrick [Walsh] and their fantastic team of agents and assistants, we knew it was going to work. Their flair, sense of fun and deep seriousness for their authors is inspiring and we believe that together we will provide a real choice for authors”.

Conville said: “We have so enjoyed working alongside and learning from the powerhouse that is Curtis Brown. It is no coincidence that we have had our best year yet at Conville and Walsh so it seems entirely appropriate that we should convert our engagement into a marriage and build the best agency in London. Exciting times.”

Walsh added: “Fifteen years ago Clare and I started business in a fourth floor Wardour Street walk-up with a dog, no lift and a lot of hope. Now that we’ve just had our best ever financial year (plus several dogs and, finally, a lift) this seemed the natural moment to bring forward by a year the second half of our sale. There’s a huge and infectious energy at Curtis Brown – not just in their book department, but across actors, presenting, film and television – which everyone at Conville & Walsh loves.”